Demystifying menopause, one of the biggest health shifts for women

November 17, 2025 | 6 min read

Menopause, and the years-long period leading up to it called perimenopause, can disrupt all aspects of a woman’s life in unseen, and often not talked about ways. The impact can be so strong, research has shown that 17% of women consider leaving the workplace during this stage. “That’s why opening up this conversation, and improving access to midlife health experts, is so important,” says Jennifer Foubert, assistant vice president and head of product and growth for Group Benefits at Manulife Canada.

Registered nurse with Maven Clinic - a virtual service specializing in support for women’s and family health - Shyna Asaria answers here some of the more common questions she gets about menopause and hormonal health.

That's one of the most common — and overlooked early cries for help during menopause. Next, many women experience a frustrating clouding of the mind known as brain fog.

This isn't just about forgetfulness; it's a profound disruption to how you think, work, and connect. Tasks that once felt effortless — giving a presentation, managing a team, juggling calendars — can now feel mentally exhausting. Words slip away mid-sentence. Focus fractures. And in personal life, it shows up as irritability, emotional reactivity, and an inability to be fully present. These changes can undermine confidence and relationships, leading women to quietly wonder if they’re burning out or breaking down. But this is not a personal failing — it’s a hormonal shift.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — and you're not overreacting. Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can dramatically impact mood regulation, anxiety levels, irritability, and emotional resilience. One moment you may feel calm and grounded, and the next you're overwhelmed by frustration or feeling tearful. These emotional swings are not imagined; they are rooted in fluctuating estrogen and progesterone, which directly influence neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA – all of which regulate mood and emotional stability.

At work, this can feel like chronic overstimulation: difficulty focusing in meetings, emotional reactivity to feedback, or dreading tasks that used to be simple. At home, it may look like emotional withdrawal, snapping at your kids, or guilt over being “on edge.” The key isn’t to suppress your emotions — it’s to reclaim stability by supporting your hormonal and neurological systems. 

That depends on how menopause is affecting your quality of life. Are you forgetting words mid-sentence, waking up drenched in sweat, snapping at coworkers, or feeling like your motivation has disappeared? These are not small issues — they’re signs of hormonal imbalance that can deeply impact your work, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, is exactly what it sounds like — replenishing the estrogen (and often progesterone) that naturally declines during perimenopause and menopause.

For most healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, HRT is not only safe — it’s often transformative.

HRT doesn’t reverse time, but it can restore clarity, stability, and energy. By restoring hormones your body once relied on, it can alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, joint pain, and sleep issues. It also helps maintain bone density and vaginal health. 

Start by talking to a healthcare provider who understands menopause. It comes in forms like patches, gels, pills, and localized options — and treatment is individualized, based on your symptoms, health history, and goals. 

Beyond HRT, targeted supplements like magnesium and omega-3s can help with brain fog. Others find relief through magnesium glycinate, B-complex, herbal remedies, which calm the nervous system and support mood regulation.

Talk openly with your healthcare provider, your partner, or your boss — not to apologize, but to advocate for support during this transition. You are not “too emotional.” You are navigating an invisible neuroendocrine shift that deserves recognition, resources, and care.

This story was originally published in La Presse on October 12, 2025.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat a condition. If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation or are seeking medical advice, contact your medical doctor or your health-care provider.

A note about gender:
While we use the term “women,” “female,” and “men” and “male” in this article, we recognize that these terms are not inclusive of all gender identities and that the health issues addressed here may be relevant to individuals across the gender spectrum

Maven Clinic:
Maven is the world’s largest virtual clinic for women and families on a mission to make healthcare work for all of us. Maven’s award-winning digital programs provide clinical, emotional, and financial support all in one platform, spanning fertility & family building, maternity & newborn care, parenting & pediatrics, and menopause & midlife. More than 2,000 employers and health plans trust Maven's end-to-end platform to improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and provide equity in benefits programs.